There wasn't much in California in 1848. No one was prepared for the tens of thousands of people who arrived. All of them had needs, or demands, but there wasn't much there. When there is less of something that everyone needs, it will cost more. This is part of the economic law called and .

the catholic church withhold people's access to the bible during the middle ages.

people could go to church and listen to the teachings, but it was absolutely forbidden to own and/or read the books of both the old and new testaments. it was also prohibited to translate the books (which where originally in biblical hebrew) to any other language.

this was done so the church could remain in control of what their teachings were and to enhance their importance and power, while also being able to judge people's actions through information that was unavailable for the general public.

b: the exchange of coined money

i would have to say i believe that it is a.